When asked how one even begin to pair a watch with cognac, Pierre Boyer says that it’s all down to capturing an idea or a mood. “One can appreciate cognac with anything,” he enthuses. “You can enjoy it with food of course, but so can you with cinema, art and music. It’s all about enjoyment.”
Patric Zingg absolutely loves the idea: “Both cognac and luxury watches are indulgences, which make them a natural fit. Credit goes to Valiram (the exclusive distributor of Graham watches in Malaysia) for initiating this in an effort to see what new synergy can happen.”
Graham’s Chronofighter, specifically its Vintage Nose Art models, were chosen for this unusual pairing. Launched last year, Vintage Nose Art takes its cue from 1940s and 50s drawings of pin-up girls that once adorned fighter planes. “We wanted to add colours that make sense with our history. It’s about communicating fun,” says Zingg.
There are four new Vintage Nose Art models - Lucia, Chloe, Linda and Belle - this year. Each has her own distinctive personality, and collectively they also represent the world of music. “Graham has a strong association with music; a lot of musicians like Eric Clapton love and wear our watches,” Zingg notes.
Boyer’s task is to delve into the idea behind each watch model and pair it with a cognac that best reflects that idea. “I try to find a shared spirit between the cognac and the watch.”
